Soil Specification Information

Transcription

1 Soil Specification Information

2 Expertise in Soils The Hills Bark Blower management and staff spend time, expertise and money researching and developing the best quality mixes for everyday construction use. Bark Blower branded products have been: Trialled extensively Tested by an independent laboratory Are predominantly renewable and recyclable Installed by the trained and inducted Bark Blower staff One of the reasons we are more stringent with our mixes than other landscape supply companies is because our products are often installed into hard to access, sensitive or high profile sites where failure is not an option. Please enjoy reading the following detailed information and feel free to call our soil experts if you need further explanation on the testing or performance of the products. Jon Moon Managing Director The Hills Bark Blower 2

3 Soil Mixes Lightweight Planter Box Mix 6 B Horizon Mix 7 Premium Garden Mix 8 Turf Underlay 9 Green Roof Mix 10 Premium A Horizon Mix 12 Premium B Horizon Mix 13 When requesting test information, please read the comment below: Australian Standard 3743 is a more appropriate test for most of these mixes than AS 4419 due to the AFP, WHC and nutritional results provided. Although Australian Standard 4419 gives us the Bulk Density result we need, it does not provide as much nutritional information and is less stringent as a test than AS Saturated Bulk Density cannot be calculated from information given by AS 4419 testing alone. Of course, this means that AS 4419 is easier to comply with, but not satisfactory to The Hills Bark Blower requirements. All Independent Declaration of Compliance Documents and testing results are available upon request. 3

4 The Hills Bark Blower Planter Box and Podium Garden Profile Plants Mulch 75mm deep Suitable Waterproofing around entire perimeter Geofabric mm deep The Hills Premium A Horizon Mix or The Hills Lightweight Planter Box Mix The Hills Premium B Horizon Mix or The Hills B Horizon Mix Drainage Cell Suitable Drainage Points Irrigation may be installed. Weight calculations are helpful when on slab. Depth of B Horizon varies with planter depth. 4

5 Experience in High Profile, Small and Large Scale Sites These are just a few examples where our work can be observed. One Central Park Complex East Village Apartments, Zetland 6000m² Rhodes Peninsula, Rhodes m 2 Macquarie University Podium and Atrium Meadowbank Highrise terrace Sydney University Podium over lecture theatre Ask us for more site references 5

6 The Hills Lightweight Planter Box Mix The Hills Lightweight Planter Box Mix is excellent for installation into the top mm of a contained environment such as planter boxes and podiums. It has been developed in conjunction with the Hills B Horizon mix to work as the nutrient rich growing media layer of an engineered profile. The Hills Lightweight Planter Box Mix is tested to the Australian Standard 3743 Potting Mix non specialist (Regular Grade). We test the Bulk Density to the Australian Standard 4419: 2003 Soils for Landscaping and Garden Use Organic Soil Analysis. It is also tested with the 6 Point Hydraulic Conductivity Test. The mix requirements are specific and don t fit into any one Australian Standard. We use the standards as a tool only. TEST RESULTS: NOVEMBER 2017 Characteristic Unit Target Range Results Comments Texture n/a Loamy Sand Acceptable Air-filled Porosity % Acceptable Total Water Holding Capacity % Acceptable Wettability min <5.8 Acceptable ph (1:1.5 in water) ph units Acceptable for use Electrical Conductivity (1:1.5) ds/m Acceptable Chloride mg/l Acceptable Ammonium-N (NH4) mg/l Acceptable NH4 + NO3 mg/l NR 83.8 Acceptable (premium) Nitrogen Drawdown Index Acceptable Toxicity Index mm Acceptable Phosphate-P (PO4) mg/l NR 12.8 Acceptable (premium) Potassium (K) mg/l NR 233 Acceptable (premium) Sulphate (SO4) mg/l NR 95 Acceptable (premium) Calcium (Ca) mg/l Acceptable Magnesium (Mg) mg/l Acceptable Ca:Mg Ratio Acceptable K:Mg Ratio NR 7.2 Acceptable (premium) Sodium (Na) mg/l Acceptable Iron (Fe) mg/l Acceptable Copper (Cu) mg/l Acceptable Zinc (Zn) mg/l Acceptable Manganese (Mn) mg/l Acceptable Boron (B) mg/l Acceptable Hydraulic Conductivity after 32 drops (heavy compaction) 2308mm/hr Bulk Density 0.61kg/L Saturated Bulk Density 1.23kg/L The Hills Bark Blower staff add a further Nitrogen source, Dolomite, Gypsum, and other nutrition where needed. Further organic fertilisers and water holding products can be added upon request. 6

7 The Hills B Horizon Mix The Hills B Horizon Mix performs well as a lower profile substrate in contained environments, below the Lightweight Planter Box Mix. It has been developed to work as the stable drainage media layer of an engineered profile. It provides enough nutrition for continued root growth while creating a stable substrate for long term volume. The Hills B Horizon Mix is tested to the Australian Standard 3743 Potting Mix non specialist (Regular Grade). We test the Bulk Density to the Australian Standard 4419: 2003 Soils for Landscaping and Garden Use Organic Soil Analysis. It is also tested with the 6 Point Hydraulic Conductivity Test. As the B Horizon Mix is a lower profile substrate, it doesn t fit into any one Australian Standard s requirements. We use the standards as a tool only. TEST RESULTS: NOVEMBER 2017 Characteristic Unit Requirement Results: Comments Regular Regular Air-filled Porosity % Acceptable Total Water Holding Capacity % Acceptable Wettability min <5.8 Acceptable ph (1:1.5 in water) ph units Acceptable Electrical Conductivity (1:1.5) ds/m Acceptable Chloride mg/l Acceptable Ammonium-N (NH4) mg/l Acceptable NH4 + NO3 mg/l NR 95.7 Acceptable (premium) Nitrogen Drawdown Index Low Toxicity Index mm Acceptable Phosphate-P (PO4) mg/l NR 12.8 Acceptable (premium) Potassium (K) mg/l NR 185 Acceptable (premium) Sulphate (SO4) mg/l NR 100 Acceptable Calcium (Ca) mg/l Acceptable Magnesium (Mg) mg/l Acceptable Ca:Mg Ratio Acceptable K:Mg Ratio NR 5.8 Acceptable (premium) Sodium (Na) mg/l Acceptable Iron (Fe) mg/l Acceptable Copper (Cu) mg/l Unacceptable Zinc (Zn) mg/l Acceptable Manganese (Mn) mg/l Acceptable Boron (B) mg/l Acceptable Hydraulic Conductivity 32 drops (heavy compaction) 948mm/hr Bulk Density 0.64kg/L Saturated Bulk Density 1.21kg/L Laboratory recommendations are implemented when the B Horizon is the predominant growing media in the podium and where corrections need to be made. The Hills Bark Blower staff add important nitrogen sources, plenty of calcium, micro and macro nutrients and ph adjusters if needed. 7

8 The Hills Premium Garden Mix The Hills Premium Garden Mix is a superior growing mediadesigned to support a range of plant species from exotics to most Australian Natives. It supports young plants and has the substance to remain an excellent mix long term. The Hills Premium Garden Mix has a structure that supports stable volume and a good organic content to encourage a healthy microbial ecosystem. The Hills Premium Garden Mix is tested to the Australian Standard 4419: 2003 Soils for Landscaping and Garden Use Organic Soil Analysis. It is also tested against Specification D3 Display Bed Soil from the text Soil for Landscape Development by Leake and Haege. TEST RESULTS: NOVEMBER 2017 Property Unit Target Range Result Comments Texture n/a Loamy Sand Bulk density kg/l > Satisfactory Organic Matter B % dry wt B Satisfactory Wettability mm/min > 5 79 Satisfactory ph in H2O (1:1.5) C ph units C 6.1 General soil Electrical Conductivity (1:1.5) ds/m 2.5 D 0.7 Satisfactory Ammonium mg/l extract Satisfactory Phosphorus (P) content mg/l extract Very P Sensitive < 3 <0.2 Satisfactory P Sensitive < 20 <0.2 Satisfactory Nitrogen drawdown > Satisfactory Toxicity mm Satisfactory Permeability cm/hr Acceptable/Accelerated < 10 mm NR 98.8 No requirement mm % by mass Satisfactory > 20 mm Satisfactory The Hills Premium Garden Mix tests as Grade A soil for Unrestricted Use. 8

9 The Hills Turf Underlay The Hills Turf Underlay is a superior mix that creates a thriving lawn environment. It is specially developed for the use in both residential and amenity turf areas. The mix contains minerals and inorganic components, as well as a percentage of organic product for better structure and nutrition. The Hills Turf Underlay has high permeability which creates a free draining environment to decrease the chance of fungal growth. The Hills Turf Underlay is tested to Australian Standard 3743 Potting Mix non specialist (Regular Grade) to provide enough information about the available nutrients. It is also tested to Specification C1 Passive Amenity Turf from the text Soil for Landscape Development by Leake and Haege. TEST RESULTS: NOVEMBER 2017 Property Unit Target Range Result 2.0 mm % retained by mass < mm % retained by mass < mm % retained by mass mm % retained by mass mm % retained by mass mm % retained by mass 5-15 (max 25% vfs + Si + Cl) mm % retained by mass 5-10 (max <12% Si + Cl) 3.4 <0.002 mm % retained by mass Large Particles 2-20mm % by mass < Large Particles >20mm % by mass Organic Matter %w/w Drops mm/hr > Wettability mm/min >5 11 Dispersibility in water Category 1 or 2 (AS4419) 1 ph in H2O (1:5) ph units Electrical Conductivity ds/m < Exchangeable Sodium % CEC <7 7 Exchangeable Ca:Mg ratio Ratio Available Phosphorus mg/kg Available Nitrogen (as Nitrate) mg/kg We consider the material fit for purpose as a turf underlay in all but high grade sportsfield situations provided the turf is fertilised once established as is normal practice SESL Australia. 9

10 The Hills Green Roof Mix* The Hills Green Roof Mix has been developed to provide a stable substrate that can sustain plant life while maintaining volume over time. The Hills Bark Blower has installed large trial plots and monitored them over a 6 year period to ensure the green roof media used is the best available. It is also tested independently. Not only that, but The Hills Bark Blower Green Roof mix has been given a certificate of compliance with the requirements in the soil publication by Leake and Haege, no easy feat. Available upon request. Tested for: As there is no appropriate Australian Standard for Green roof media yet, The Hills Green Roof Mix is tested to the Australian Standard 3743 Potting Mix non specialist (Regular Grade). We also test the Bulk Density to the Australian Standard 4419: 2003 Soils for Landscaping and Garden Use Organic Soil Analysis. It is also tested with the 6 Point Hydraulic Conductivity Test. We use the standards as a tool only. The mix is also tested against Specification E3 Low Density Container and Green Roof from the text Soil for Landscape Development by Leake and Haege. The Hills Bark Blower staff add important nitrogen sources, plenty of calcium, micro and macro nutrients and ph adjusters if needed. TEST RESULTS: NOVEMBER 2017 Characteristic Unit Target Range Results: Comments Texture n/a Loamy Sand Acceptable Air-filled Porosity % Acceptable Total Water Holding Capacity % Acceptable Wettability min < Acceptable ph (1:1.5 in water) ph units Acceptable Electrical Conductivity (1:1.5) ds/m Acceptable Chloride mg/l High Ammonium-N (NH4) mg/l Acceptable NH4 + NO3 mg/l Not Required Nitrogen Drawdown Index 1.1 Acceptable Toxicity Index mm Acceptable Phosphate-P (PO4) mg/l NR 4.6 Acceptable Potassium (K) mg/l Acceptable (premium) Sulphate (SO4) mg/l > Acceptable (premium) Calcium (Ca) mg/l > Acceptable Magnesium (Mg) mg/l Acceptable Ca:Mg Ratio Acceptable K:Mg Ratio Acceptable Sodium (Na) mg/l Acceptable Iron (Fe) mg/l Acceptable Copper (Cu) mg/l Acceptable Zinc (Zn) mg/l Acceptable Manganese (Mn) mg/l Acceptable Independent laboratory certificate of compliance available with this product Hydraulic Conductivity - 32 drops (heavy compaction) 948mm/hr Bulk Density 0.64kg/L Saturated Bulk Density 1.22kg/L *The Hills Bark Blower staff add micro nutrients and ameliorants to provide those nutrients that test as mildly low. The Hills Bark Blower mixes can have additions such as wetting agent and other fertilisers upon request. All actions recommended by the independent laboratory are carried out before installation. 10

11 ROOF MIX DIAGRAM Irrigation (dependent on design) The Hills Green Roof Mix Depth* 200mm - 300mm Geofabric Waterproofing Drainage Cell *Know the weight the roof/slab can hold to calculate the kg/m 2. The depth of media can be calculated using the Saturated Bulk Density value. Optimum depth is 300mm. Drainage Point. Must be lowest point of green roof GREEN ROOF INGREDIENTS... THE ESSENTIALS The Hills Bark Blower Green roof mix has essential ingredients to create a premium mix. We include our horticultural grade ash products and a small amount of composted, aged organic fines to ensure a buffer for fungal control and nutrient retention. The mix of minerals and organics creates a good structure. It will not slump and has excellent drainage and water holding capacity. For more information on the specific components, please contact us on 1300 BLOWIT. A. Horticultural Grade Ash B. 7-10mm Scoria The Hills Green Roof Mix contains Horticultural Grade Ash instead of Scoria as it has superior characteristics. Ash is lighter than Scoria. It is a by-product and therefore is not a product of quarrying. Ash provides excellent porosity, water holding capacity and long term volume stability. Scoria can be added to our Green Roof Mix upon request. Please note however that it is sourced interstate from quarries. This adds to the cost both financially and to the environment when included as a component. Scoria also adds extra weight to our Green Roof Mix without contributing any extra benefits. 11

12 The Hills Premium A Horizon Mix The Hills Premium A Horizon Mix has been developed to meet the most exacting specifications, from the Australian Standard 3743 Potting Mix non specialist (Regular Grade), with items from Australian Standard 4419: 2003 Soils for Landscaping and Garden Use as well as the Specification E3 Low Density Container and Green Roof requirements from the Leake and Haege publication. It has a Declaration of Compliance that accompanies the mix for peace of mind. This mix is suitable as the top growing layer of any container environment, from Planter Boxes, to podium areas. It is lightweight and contains the nutrients needed to sustain plant life for an extended period. Organic slow release fertiliser can be used in the maintenance schedule; however it is not needed initially. The Hills Bark Blower staff add important nitrogen sources, plenty of calcium, micro and macro nutrients and ph adjusters if needed. TEST RESULTS: Characteristic Unit Requirement Results Comments Regular Regular Air-filled Porosity % Acceptable Total Water Holding Capacity % Acceptable Wettability min <5.1 Acceptable ph (1:1.5 in water) ph units Within error range Electrical Conductivity (1:1.5) ds/m Acceptable Chloride mg/l Acceptable Ammonium-N (NH4) mg/l Acceptable NH4 + NO3 mg/l NR 50 Acceptable (premium) Nitrogen Drawdown Index Acceptable Toxicity Index mm Acceptable Phosphate-P (PO4) mg/l NR 12.8 Acceptable (premium) Potassium (K) mg/l NR 76.4 Acceptable (premium) Sulphate (SO4) mg/l NR 35 Acceptable Calcium (Ca) mg/l Acceptable Magnesium (Mg) mg/l Acceptable Ca:Mg Ratio Acceptable K:Mg Ratio NR 3.80 Acceptable (premium) Sodium (Na) mg/l Acceptable Iron (Fe) mg/l Acceptable Copper (Cu) mg/l Acceptable Zinc (Zn) mg/l Acceptable Manganese (Mn) mg/l Acceptable Boron (B) mg/l Acceptable Bulk Density is 0.48kg/L. *Further trace elements have been added to the mix to rectify any mild low results. The ph and WHC are within testing error range for the AS 3743 results and are fully acceptable for the Specification E3 as per the independent laboratory report. 12

13 The Hills Premium B Horizon The Hills Premium B Horizon Mix is exceptional as a lower layer growing media in urban landscaping where there are planter boxes and podiums. The Hills Premium B Horizon Mix has been specially formulated in consultation with an independent laboratory and years of on-site experience. It is tested to Australian Standard 3743 Potting Mix non specialist (Regular Grade) as it is the most stringent and appropriate test to use. However, it is also test to Australian Standard 4419: 2003 Soils for Landscaping and Garden Use. Although this test is not as exacting in it s requirements, it provides the all-important Bulk Density needed to calculate the weight bearing. Weight is key to podium and planter boxes. Stability is also essential. Both these characteristics have been engineered to be the best possible in this mix. The Hills Bark Blower staff add important nitrogen sources, plenty of calcium, micro and macro nutrients and ph adjusters if needed. This mix is accompanied by a Declaration of Compliance to the Specification E2 On Slab soil media B Horizon outlined in the publication Soil for Landscape Development: Selection, Specification and Validation by Leake and Haege. TEST RESULTS: Characteristic Unit Requirement Results: Comments Regular Regular Air-filled Porosity % Acceptable Total Water Holding Capacity % Acceptable Wettability min <5 5 Acceptable ph (1:1.5 in water) ph units Acceptable for use Electrical Conductivity (1:1.5) ds/m Acceptable Chloride mg/l Acceptable Ammonium-N (NH4) mg/l Acceptable NH4 + NO3 mg/l NR 20.4 Acceptable (premium) Nitrogen Drawdown Index Acceptable Toxicity Index mm Unacceptable* Phosphate-P (PO4) mg/l NR 9.3 Acceptable (premium) Potassium (K) mg/l NR 131 Acceptable (premium) Sulphate (SO4) mg/l NR 75 Acceptable (premium) Calcium (Ca) mg/l Acceptable Magnesium (Mg) mg/l Acceptable Ca:Mg Ratio Acceptable K:Mg Ratio NR 5 Acceptable (premium) Sodium (Na) mg/l Acceptable Iron (Fe) mg/l Unacceptable* Copper (Cu) mg/l Unacceptable* Zinc (Zn) mg/l Acceptable Manganese (Mn) mg/l Unacceptable* Boron (B) mg/l Acceptable Bulk Density is 0.61kg/L *Further trace elements can be added to the mix to rectify any mild low results. 13

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15 PRODUCT LIST Products available from The Hills Bark Blower Lightweight Planter Box Mix B Horizon Mix Premium A Horizon Mix Premium B Horizon Mix Green Roof Mix Turf Underlay Mix Premium Garden Mix Pine Bark Mulch Playbark certified soft fall Forest Mulch Enviro Fines Hardwood Chip Screened Leaf Mulch 10mm Blue Metal 20mm Blue Metal 20mm Nepean River Pebble 20mm Cowra White Drainage Sand Sydney Sand Playground Sand certified soft fall Filter Sand Extra Products available through the Rockslinger machine Recycled Aggregate Recycled Road Base Crushed Sandstone Deco Granite Any Pebbles up to 40mm 15

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